Two suspects were found dead near Kibler Park in the south of Johannesburg after they allegedly tried to steal fuel from a Transnet pipeline over the weekend.
One of the bodies was found in a “structure” not far from the crime scene, while the other was found in the tunnel leading to the Transnet Petroleum pipeline, said Transnet Pipelines in a statement.
Two suspects were “overcome by smoke” when they tried to siphon fuel from a pipe on Saturday night. The tunnel and “structure” were demolished the next day.
90 incidents of fuel theft
“This weekend’s incident is a reminder to perpetrators that damage to petroleum pipelines and related infrastructure can have disastrous consequences, including injuries and fatalities, extensive environmental damage and fires,” he said.
Since the start of the current financial year, Transnet Pipelines said it has recorded 90 incidents of fuel theft and 68 arrests.
Also read: Transnet fuel theft: Six suspects arrested after car chase and tanker on fire
“The perpetrators will face the full force of the law for damaging the pipeline, or colluding to tamper, as a schedule 5 offense under the Criminal Procedure Amendment Act, Act 18 of 2015 and all perpetrators will be charged.
“Transnet will act with the full force of the law to deal with all would-be perpetrators and organized crime syndicates who plan to steal fuel from the pipeline network.”
Fuel theft kingpin arrested
In October last year, the 35-year-old kingpin was arrested for his alleged involvement in a syndicate linked to the theft of fuel and the destruction of vital infrastructure at national key points.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase, he was arrested in Pretoria by a multi-disciplinary team led by the Free State Hawks Organized Crime Investigation team together with Bidvest Protea Coin Security, Gauteng Traffic Department Saturation Unit.
It was later investigated further in the arrest of two suspects for stealing fuel and tampering with Transnet national pipeline in Vrede, Free State, and they were arrested in sending stolen fuel in Kromdraai, Witbank.
Also read: Millions of liters of fuel stolen from Transnet – report
Almost 8.5 million liters of fuel, worth an estimated R102 million, has been stolen from the national Transnet pipeline in the past year.